In this post I will cover the second major reason why most Christians fail to enter into the presence of God and experience the radical and life changing power that is found there. Once again, I am talking about that power that changes lives, marriages, and even businesses. I am talking about entering into that place where joy and peace and contentment are. If someone were to read this series several weeks from now, after I have completed all 4-5 parts in it, and they were to ask me: Mike, out of the 4-5 reasons you give, which one do you feel is the biggest one? Is there one of the reasons in your series that carries more weight than the others? My answer would be yes! In my personal opinion, this post will deal with the primary reason most Christians do not enter His presence and hear His voice on a continual basis.
If I decide within myself that my goal is to become a millionaire, I will find that there are 3 primary things I will have to do consistently for a period of time to accomplish that goal. I will have to go to work on a regular basis, save a percentage of my income consistently, and restrict my spending. It is fair to say that these would be 3 essential components to becoming a millionaire. If I decide to lose 20 lbs, I will find myself embarking upon a journey that will include regular workouts and a restricted calorie diet on a daily basis. A professional football player in the N.F.L. doesn’t spend the majority of his time playing actual games. He spends the majority of each and every week working out, stretching, analyzing film from previous games, studying his plays, running drills, etc…. In fact, ninety percent of his career isn’t actually spent competing. It is spent practicing. Here is my point. In all endeavors in life, there are specific disciplines that are essential to the goal that one is pursuing. If our bank account is low it is usually because we have neglected certain disciplines for a period of time. And, when it comes to a life that is void of the power of God and the fruit of the Spirit, I would say that the vast majority of the time, it is a result of a tragic neglect of the disciplines of our faith! Such disciplines as prayer, reading, studying His word, fasting, solitude, service, confession, counsel, worship, etc… These are the disciplines of Christianity.
If you have ever been in any type of sales business, you will almost always notice that a very small percentage of the sales force actually sells the majority of the products being sold. I have noticed this in my real estate career. I would guess that about 10% of the real estate agents are selling 90% of the homes. Why is this? It is because only a very small percentage will dedicate themselves to the disciplines of sales. They simply won’t make their calls every day! They neglect there disciplines. The vast majority of Christians are doing the same. But here is what doesn’t make sense. The crazy part is that we actually wonder why we aren’t experiencing joy and peace and contentment. We actually wonder why we are living lives filled with anxiety and depression. We want the fruit of the Spirit without planting the seeds and watering the plant. Surely the lazy sluggard shouldn’t wonder why he isn’t rich. He doesn’t go to work. I don’t wonder why my pants are fitting so snug lately and I don’t have a “six pack”. I know why! I’ve eaten too much and moved too little. I must re-dedicate myself to the disciplines of exercise and a healthy diet! The most fundamental reason so few Christians are experiencing the life of Christ is because so few will commit to the disciplines of Christianity!!
Let’s re-dedicate ourselves to the disciplines of our faith today! If you are not willing to commit to a life that is founded upon these disciplines, then, at the very least, stop wondering why you aren’t seeing the fruit! For a more in depth look at the disciplines of the Christian faith, I would highly recommend reading the book, Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster. This book had a profound impact upon my life.
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AUTHOR: MIKE MAZYCK
